Students will see two new faces at Hurffville and Whitman elementary schools when they head back to school this week.
Erica Holck became Hurffville principal on Aug. 1, replacing Dr. Nate Switzer, who had served as principal since August 2020. Julie Hopp began her role as Whitman principal on July 29.
The Washington Township board of education approved the appointments of both women at a July meeting. Holck will receive a pro-rated annual salary of $110,136, and Hopp’s pro-rated salary is $137,562.
Holck comes to the township from the Lumberton schools, where she was an assistant principal of discipline at the district middle school. She also served as a school safety specialist and threat assessment chair, developing her leadership skills district-wide, according to a release from Washington Township schools.
“Erica Holck’s experience in various leadership roles showcases her dedication to education and student development,” said Gretchen Gerber, the township district’s director of elementary education. “Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to creating a positive and safe learning environment.
“Whether in the classroom, in administrative roles, or through school-wide initiatives, Erica has focused on fostering an atmosphere where students feel supported, respected, and encouraged to succeed academically and personally,” Gerber added.
“Her leadership and passion for education will be an asset to the Hurffville School community.”
Holck began her career in education in 2011 in Logan Township schools. She was an art teacher there through 2023, serving as a leader and collaborator on district initiatives and committees. Among other accomplishments, she was integral in establishing the district’s new code of conduct, developed and led professional development classes and redefined school values through the creation of culturally responsive positive behavior interventions and supports.
Some of Holck’s new duties as principal will include monitoring all building functions, developing and implementing district curricula; organizing schedules, mentoring new teachers, coordinating state monitoring and budget formation and evaluating standardized testing scores.
Holck earned her bachelor of arts degree in education from Rowan University in 2011, and a master’s in educational leadership from Montclair State University in 2023.
Hopp replaces Samantha Dulude, who served as Whitman principal for two years.
She is a veteran educator and New Jersey native who comes to the township from a tenure in western Pennsylvania that included building and district leadership roles. Most recently, she was the director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development for that state’s Butler Area School District.
Among other duties, Hopp oversaw all aspects of the district’s curriculum and instruction; implemented Butler’s instructional coaching model; assisted in long-term strategic planning; and helped establish multi-tiered systems of support and positive behavioral interventions and supports across all district schools, according to the township release.
“Julie Hopp is an experienced administrator from Pennsylvania who has recently moved back to New Jersey to be closer to family,” Gerber explained. “She has served as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal and director of elementary education …
“Mrs. Hopp’s extensive experience in various leadership roles, along with her collaborative and supportive approach, will be an asset to Whitman Elementary School.”
Prior to joining the administrative team at Butler, Hopp was the director of its elementary education and intermediate school principal for the Chartiers Valley School District. There, she also served as primary school principal and assistant principal. Hopp held positions as elementary assistant principal, curriculum specialist, learning advisor/instructional coach, and educational consultant for the Beaver Area School District from 2006 to 2011, and was a prior elementary-level classroom teacher in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
Some of Hopp’s duties as principal will include monitoring all building functions, developing curricula and evaluating standardized testing scores.
Hopp earned her bachelor of arts degree in education from Rowan University and her master of arts from Arcadia University. She received a K-12 administrator and supervisor of curriculum certification, as well as the superintendent’s letter of eligibility, from the University of Pittsburgh.
